Over the past decade there has been increased scientific evidence showing that perinatal and intranatal trauma are significant risk factors for developing autism.
A traumatic birth can lead to lasting medical problems in the infant, such as brachial plexus injuries, brain damage, and more. When birth trauma is caused by negligence or medical malpractice, parents have the right to pursue legal compensation for their children's injuries.
While genetic factors are a major contributor to the etiology of ASD, mounting evidence supports a role for environmental factors, allowing possibilities for prevention or early intervention. Prenatal stress and maternal immune dysfunction appear to contribute in some way to a significant proportion of these ASD cases.
According to the study findings, the perinatal complications that had the highest association with ASD were birth asphyxia -- deprivation of oxygen during the birthing process -- and preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems.
Brain damage at birth from lack of oxygen puts babies at a greater risk of developing epilepsy, autism, dyspraxia, and cerebral palsy. Families may recover for the losses endured by them and their baby because of negligent medical professionals.
The complications researchers found to be most closely related to autism included birth asphyxia and preeclampsia. Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby is deprived of oxygen during the birthing process which can cause damage to the baby's brain.
Four social brain regions, the amygdala, OFC, TPC, and insula, are disrupted in ASD and supporting evidence is summarized; these constitute the proposed common pathogenic mechanism of ASD. Symptomatology is then addressed: widespread ASD symptoms can be explained as direct effects of disrupted social brain regions.
ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. Some people are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults.
A routine prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy can identify early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka Medical Center in Israel.
Traumatic Birth Injuries.
Traumatic injuries occur when excessive force is utilized during delivery. Commonly, the outcomes are similar to oxygen deprivation, in that CP, developmental delays, and other impairments often result.
The global increase in autism prevalence reflects major improvements in public awareness and public health response to autism. Children are now more likely to be diagnosed earlier, and even underrepresented regions like Africa and the Middle East have been advancing their ability to measure autism prevalence.
A child could have mild symptoms of autism, but parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis. When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response.
having a difficult labour or experiencing labour complications. needing intervention during labour, such as an assisted delivery (using forceps or ventouse) or an emergency caesarean. you or your baby suffering birth injury. your baby needing medical attention after the birth.
In order for the birth to be considered traumatic, the mother must have been traumatised by what happened during the process of the baby being born. This injury could be physical, occurring to either the mother or the baby, but must result in psychological distress that lasts after the birth.
Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone is the most common fracture during labor and delivery. The clavicle may break when there is trouble delivering the baby's shoulder or during a breech delivery.
For example, a study published in January in the journal Brain that examined prenatal ultrasounds found that children who went on to develop autism were much more likely to have anomalies in their heart, kidneys and head seen on the ultrasounds, compared with children that did not develop autism.
A routine prenatal ultrasound can identify early signs of autism, study finds. Summary: A routine prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester can identify early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a new study has found.
According to their dose-response meta-analysis, breastfeeding a baby for six months was linked to a 54% reduction in risk. In the conventional meta-analysis, the greatest reduction in the risk of autism spectrum condition was associated with prolonged breastfeeding of young children, between 12 to 24 months.
Autism is likely to have multiple genes responsible rather than a single gene. However, it is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. There is no link between autism and vaccines.
Characteristics of Mild Autism
Repetitive or fixated behaviors, interests, or activities: Autistic people often repeat movements or words as a way to self-regulate, a behavior often referred to as “stimming.” They may also adhere to specific routines and have specific and intense interests.
This difference fades between ages 10 and 15, as brain volume in controls increases. After this period, controls continue to show gains in brain volume until their mid-20s, whereas the brains of people with autism begin shrinking.
Children who have autism also begin to weigh more than controls at 11.4 months of age. Both differences persist until they are 2 years old.
The sequelae of TBI in children include deficits in intelligence, memory, attention, learning, and social judgment [7]. Family and twin studies investigating ASD show that risk is determined by genetic factors. However, environmental insults including TBI may also contribute to risk of developing ASD [8].
We know that up to 1 in 3 mums experience the birth of their baby as traumatic. This trauma can result from what happens during labour and childbirth, but also how a mum feels about her birthing experience.